Would you be in favor of no speed limit on highways? (driver, Texas)

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Where is the bit about the speed limit being different or not existing in the left lane? I get your hobby horse about people getting the heck out of your way in the left lane, and that the part of the statute that's really important to you is that one, but I'm talking about the part of the statute that addresses speed limits, which is equally important in discussing this topic (and, in fact, more pertinent to the OP) and, for that matter, should be taken equally seriously as the one about getting the heck out of your way in the left lane.

The Illinois law that you you are responding to states a difference in the effective speed limit, without designating a numerical value in miles per hour. In the right lane, the minimum speed is as posted. In the left lane, the minimum speed is that of the car behind you,and if you are going slower than that, you are obliged to leave the lane, and move to the right. That is a de-jure speed limit, which varies according to the traffic flow, and a driver can be ticketed for failure to observe. There is no such restriction on traffic in the right lane, so in fact the speed restriction is different in the left lane from that in the right by statute (625 ILCS 5/Ch. 11 Sec (e)). Which I think addresses your point.

Common sense (which does not always prevail here) would tell you that in every instance in every road, the "speed limit" is the speed of the car in front of you, unless and until it can be safely and legally overtaken. When there are two traffic lanes, and the statute specifies those two lane to be for different purposes, the effective speed limit in each one is different, according to the traffic conditions instant. And there "is the bit about the speed limit being different" in the statute.

[Pretzelogik]

Originally Posted by ramkobe

People already drive like maniacs so why not?

Me thinks that's already happening in my town.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by iTsLiKeAnEgG

That's the best part! The way the law is written omits speed as a factor. Its a simple faster vehicle, slower vehicle relationship.

Okay, I'm going to bet that there is also, in the statutes, a section pertaining to speed limits. You can't just pull out one part of the overall transportation statutes, you have to take them as a whole (that's how the courts will do it, trust me). Though lots of people who want other drivers to get the heck out of their way sure try to do that.

Do you want to go see if there's such a segment in that state's transportation statutes, or shall I?

[TexasHorseLady]

Never mind, found it with a quick google. Add this to the part you posted earlier, iTsLiKeAnEgG, and you come up with "traffic driving slower than the limit should move to the right and traffic in the left lane should drive no faster than the limit". Also, if you're in the left lane and traffic conditions so indicate, you can be driving the speed limit and be in violation because you are legally required to slow down below the limit in ANY lane if conditions so indicate.

Likewise from the Illinois Vehicle Code:

[SIZE=2](625 ILCS 5/Ch. 11 Art. VI heading)[/SIZE] [SIZE=2]ARTICLE VI. [/SIZE] [SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2]SPEED RESTRICTIONS[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [SIZE=2](625 ILCS 5/11-601)[/SIZE] [SIZE=2](from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-601)[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Sec. 11-601. [/SIZE][SIZE=2]General speed restrictions. [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](a) No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property. The fact that the speed of a vehicle does not exceed the applicable maximum speed limit does not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection, approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, or when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions. Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](b) No person may drive a vehicle upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than the applicable statutory maximum speed limit established by paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of this Section, by Section 11-605 or by a regulation or ordinance made under this Chapter.[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](c) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit in an urban district for all vehicles is:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]1. 30 miles per hour; and[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]2. 15 miles per hour in an alley.[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](d) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is (1) 65 miles per hour (i) for all highways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, unless some other speed limit is designated, and (ii) for all or part of highways that are designated by the Department, have at least 4 lanes of traffic, and have a separation between the roadways moving in opposite directions and (2) 55 miles per hour for all other highways, roads, and streets.[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](d-1) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is (1) 70 miles per hour on any interstate highway as defined by Section 1-133.1 of this Code; (2) 65 miles per hour for all or part of highways that are designated by the Department, have at least 4 lanes of traffic, and have a separation between the roadways moving in opposite directions; and (3) 55 miles per hour for all other highways, roads, and streets. The counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will may adopt ordinances setting a maximum speed limit on highways, roads, and streets that is lower than the limits established by this Section. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](e) In the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, unless some lesser speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a second division vehicle designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more (including the weight of the vehicle and maximum load) is 55 miles per hour.[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](e-1) (Blank). [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](f) Unless some other speed restriction is established under this Chapter, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a bus is:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]1. 65 miles per hour upon any highway which has at [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2]least 4 lanes of traffic and of which the roadways for traffic moving in opposite directions are separated by a strip of ground which is not surfaced or suitable for vehicular traffic, except that the maximum speed limit for a bus on all highways, roads, or streets not under the jurisdiction of the Department or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is 55 miles per hour;[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]1.5. 70 miles per hour upon any interstate highway as [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE][SIZE=2]defined by Section 1-133.1 of this Code outside the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will; and[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2] [/SIZE] [SIZE=2]2. 55 miles per hour on any other highway.[/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](g) (Blank). [/SIZE][SIZE=2] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](Source: P.A. 97-202, eff. 1-1-12; 98-511, eff. 1-1-14.)[/SIZE]

[MrWillys]

What part do the self righteous not get? Get the hell out of the fast lane if you're impeding traffic and people are passing you on the right. We're talking an infraction of the law. Go tell Willie Nelson he can't smoke pot in Texas, because it's against the law, and let traffic move. The maximum limit is no excuse for impeding the flow! EVER

[TexasHorseLady]

What part do the self righteous not get? The speed limit is the speed limit in ALL lanes; obey the speed limit or at least respect those who do and you will have no problem. Your need for speed is no excuse for blaming others for getting in the way of your addiction! EVER

[MrWillys]

I'm not the one implying that causing a greater hazard and unsafe conditions is acceptable complying with one law while breaking another. The old saying 2 wrongs don't make a right is somewhat applicable here. There's no reason to violate common courtesy to be idealistic if it means violating another portion of the law.

[TexasHorseLady]

Agreed. And there's no reason to blame people who are obeying the law for being in your way of breaking it as well as increasing the risk of serious injury or death when an accident occurs at high speed. Common courtesy applies that direction, as well.

[MrWillys]

You can't have it both ways here. There's no justification for being in the number 1 lane if not passing unless there's no others cars around. Therefore, the condition you pose would not be possible. As long as you comply with the law and move into the number 2 lane if not passing then what other cars are doing is of no business of yours unless you have the authority to administer admonishment. Therefore, there's never justification for impeding traffic unless you yourself are violating the intent of the law.

[texdav]

No;of course not.